A 19-year-old in Sarnia, Ont., was arrested in a case of construction rage after she allegedly tried to run down a road worker, police said.

On Monday afternoon, the woman drove her car into an area of Wellington Street that was closed for roadwork, Sarnia police said.

When a construction worker asked her to turn around, she told him that if he didn't move, she would run him over, police said. The driver allegedly reversed and drove forward, hitting the 49-year-old worker in the leg.

The woman then got out of the car and punched the man, police said.

After the confrontation, a male passenger in the car got into the driver's seat and drove the vehicle out of the area. Police found the vehicle a short time later and arrested the woman.

Police said drivers often enter construction zones, but it's rare to have one strike a construction worker.

"Totally unacceptable behaviour," Const. Bill Baines said. "The signs and the road closures are put in place not only for the safety of the construction workers that are out, but also for the motorists. We don't want them ending up in deep holes when construction is ongoing or being struck by excavators or backhoes."

The construction worker suffered minor injuries and has since returned to work.

The woman was charged with dangerous driving and assault and is scheduled to appear in court on May 25.